Food and agriculture experts from the United Nations issued a warning about a growing bird flu crisis amid widespread poultry infections and spillover into people and animals worldwide.

Speaking from Rome, officials from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) told member countries that better disease monitoring, biosecurity measures, and outbreak control are needed to combat the risks as the avian influenza known as H5N1 spreads.

Avian influenza has been widespread in wild birds across the globe in recent years, but the virus’ jump from birds to mammals – including a large outbreak among dairy cattle in the United States since last year – has raised concerns among public health and food safety experts.

The spread of the virus among birds is “leading to serious impacts on food security and food supply in countries, including loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs and income, shocks to local economies, and of course, increasing costs to consumers,” FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi said.

At least 300 wild bird species have been affected by the virus since 2021, the UN agency said, adding that in addition to better disease surveillance and biosecurity measures, governments should “consider a potential role for vaccination” to limit the risks from bird flu.

‘A chain is only as strong as its weakest link’

Beyond poultry and the US dairy cattle outbreak, the virus has infected zoo animals, cats, and wild animals worldwide.

Several people have also been infected. The US reported its first human death from bird flu in January, and 69 others have been sickened by H5N1, according to a US health agency.

A person in the United Kingdom was infected with a different strain of bird flu in January after being in contact with infected birds on a farm.

So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission, and European health officials say the risk to the public remains low.

However, European scientists have identified 34 genetic mutations that could make it easier for H5N1 to adapt and spread among people.

Meanwhile in December, the UK said it was stockpiling five million bird flu vaccines for people in case the virus evolves to a point where it can better infect humans and cause a pandemic.

Beth Bechdol, another FAO deputy, told countries thatinternational cooperation will be needed to contain the virus and curb the risks it poses to people and the food supply.

“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” Bechdol said.